Life-saving device.



PATENT OFFICE.

LIFE-SAVING DEVICE..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

Application filed April ll, 1906. Serial No. 3ll,040.

T0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTO HnssnL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life- Saving Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in a life-saving device, the object of which is to provide a means forsupporting persons who either by reason of accident or other causes have been cast into the 'Water and to prevent the drowning of such persons until other assistance can be rendered them.

The invention is combined with a lifeboat, and is intended to be mostly used where a number of persons have been cast overboard and in cases where it is impossible to rescue all at one time and to sustain some one or more while others are being rescued until assistance can be rendered them.

With the foregoing object in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention as attached to the boat. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal view. Fig. 3 is a top view with the top removed, showing the compartments; and Fig. 4 is a view showing a roller as applied to the side of the boat.

A represents a boat the sides of which are provided with'the roller O, and B the lifesaving device or raft, which is composed of an oblong frame part l, which constitutes the sides, the end parts 2, tcp parts 8, and a bottom part. (Not shown.) Into the frame thus formed are constructed a number of air-tight compartments 4. Within the oblong frame part and near the bottom thereof are two horizontal metal rods 5, and extending across the rods 5 are the metal rods 6. Around the rods 5 and 6 are numerous metal rings 7, from which the net 8 is suspended. Attached to and suspended from the exterior upper sides of the raft B are the rope handles 9, provided with the cork floats 10.

My device is assembled and is operative as follows: The oblong raft is made to fit Within the boat, and the top parts 3 serve as seats. When there is no occasion to use the raft, the net 8 by reason of the rings on the rod 5 is slid over and is stowed to one side of the boat under the end of the frame part of the raft.

l The raft is removably secured within the boat by any suitable means. (Not shown.) On the top sides of the boat, directly opposite the raft, are placed the rollers C, one on each side, to facilitate the casting of the raft from the boat into the water. In use of emergency the net 8 is drawn across the opening within the frame and the raft lifted and slid overboard, which is facilitated by sliding the raft over the rollers C when being cast into the water. When cast in the vicinity of the drowning person or persons, it affords a means of support until they can be rescued by the crew of the boat, who in the meantime may be engaged in the rescue of other unfortunates. The raft is so constructed by reason of the air-tight compartments that it will buoy up several persons, and the net within affords a protection to stand within the raft, and the rope handles by reason of the cork floats thereon renders the handles easily grasped. The raft as constructed forming a part of the boat is also a great protection in the event of the capsizing of the boat into which it is a part, as it is so loosely fitted therein that in the event of such a mishap it will sever itself from the boat when capsized and afford a life-saw ing means of those able to grasp it.

My device can be variously built as to shape and size or as to the material used in construction. It is preferably built of`wood, with the compartments made of copper, gal- Vanized iron, or other suitable material that is not susceptible to rust.

Slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of the several parts described 'without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not desire to limit myself to the eXact construction as herein set forth; but,

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A life-saving device comprising a frameraft, a series of air-tight compartments within the frame, of horizontal metal rods within the inner open frame parts, of a net slidably secured on the rods, of rope handles provided with cork floats secured and suspended from the exterior upper sides of the frame parts substantially as described and for the purpose as set forth.

2. The combination of a boat and a lifesaving device comprising a frame-raft, a series of air-tight compartments within the frame, of horizontal metal rods within the IOO IIO

inner open frame parts, of a net slidably secured on the rods, of rope handles provided With cork floats secured and suspended from the exterior upper sides of the frame parts, substantially as described and for the purpose as set forth.

3. The combination of a life-saving device and a boat, comprising a frame-raft, a series of air-tight compartments Within the frame, of horizontal metal rods Within theopen frame parts, of a net slidably secured on the rods, of rope handles provided With cork floats secured and suspended from the exterior upper sides of the frame parts, the top frame parts operating as seats Within the boat7 of rollers secured in the top sides of the boat substantially as described and for the purpose as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

OTTO HESSEL.

Witnesses: y

, E. WALTON BREWINGTON,

MARY M. MAGRAW. 

